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Just needing some positive thoughts from out there...I am experiencing upper spine pain, weakness and numbness. This is the third time this month. Before that, it had only happened twice in the last 4 years. I saw my doctor about it 4 years ago, but we both agreed there was little point in doing an MRI to check for another herniated disk, as the L4-5 one that was diagnosed 11 years ago didn't respond very well to therapy and eventual surgery. Why go down that road again?
Anyway, these last few flare-ups were brought on by pretty harmless stuff. Once by a bit too much sewing. The next time after working out with light weights. This time, who the heck knows? I got my first iPhone Sunday, so I guess it could have been too much fiddling with it.
I worked yesterday and by the time I got home my lower back hurt (as usual) and my right shoulder, arm, and wrist were killing me (phantom, nerve-related pain). I called my employer to warn them that I needed to stay out tomorrow (Tuesday) to rest it. I got the most ridiculous response - "Please provide a doctors note or your employment file will have a warning put in it." I told them that in the past my doctor has filled out Federal Medical Leave Act paper work to protect me and my job when I have these periodic absences due to a well-established illness. She said they only use it to put you on extended medical leave.
I explained that yes, that was the normal use for it, but it can also be utilized to protect both them and me in situations exactly like what I am currently experiencing. She was very snippy with me as she said that they wouldn't do something like that, so I needed to get a doctors note.
I calmly explained that if I was even able to get in on such short notice, just the effort of driving to the doctor, waiting in a lobby, and eventually seeing the doctor, only to drive home again with no solution to my pain...that would just cause me to need to be out an EXTRA day!
She really didn't care. Ironic, since when I applied for the job I told them I needed to work no more than 3 days a week, no more than 12-16 hours per week. From the get-go, they have pushed the envelope on that. Because most of their employees want as many hours as possible, I am one of the few that is always at or below 20 hours, so I get pestered more than almost anyone else!
I had the perfect M-W-F client, but then they added my current client on. Then, her other caregiver gave notice and they encouraged me to take over 5 days a week. Since it is only 4-hours per day, it seemed doable. I still don't like that I never get a day in the middle to recover if I'm having a tough time with my back.
So, that's why about once a month I need one day off during the week. They have a lot of trouble filling this particular position because it is in a rural area over an hour from their offices. You'd think they would value me a little more and try to be more flexible.
I spent two hours last night scrolling through the local online newspaper want-ads, as well as Craigslist. I saved 4 possibilities. I went on my old clinic's website and found an every-other-weekend posting for Sat-Sun, 10-7 as a nurse in Urgent Care. I applied right away!
Please pray for me that they at least call me this time. Since my original injury happened while working for them, they have been a bit dubious in the past. I am hoping that when they see I've been at the same job for 18 months, working approximately half-time, that they will have more confidence in me than in the recent past.
I am trying really hard not to get demoralized by this latest physical challenge. I had trouble opening the dog food this morning, as well as carrying a plate to the table. It's not something I'm very used to, since I've primarily dealt with low back issues.
Thinking positive thoughts myself as much as possible.
Thanks for listening!
Diet Calendar Entries for 22 July 2014:
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1400 kcal
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Fat: 47.12g | Prot: 56.55g | Carb: 175.52g.
Breakfast: Maple Syrup, Eating Right Multigrain Waffles, Equal Equal, Lucerne Hazelnut Coffee Creamer, Granulated Sugar, Coffee (Brewed From Grounds). Lunch: Turkey Breast Meat, Wal-Mart Flat Iron Steak, Reddi-wip Original Dairy Whipped Topping, Kozy Shack Original Rice Pudding, Newman's Own Lite Italian Dressing, Grape Tomatoes, Fresh Express Italian Salad Mix, Blueberries, Strawberries. Dinner: Open Nature Spinach & Feta Chicken Sausage, Private Selection Frozen Broccoli, Smart Balance Original Buttery Spread. Snacks/Other: Milk (1% Lowfat with Added Vitamin A), Orville Redenbacher's Movie Theater Butter Popcorn, Betty Crocker Triple Chunk Brownies. more...
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2521 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Resting - 5 hours, Sleeping - 8 hours, Standing - 3 hours, Housework - 2 hours, Sitting - 6 hours. more...
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 Comments
Your HR department people are jerks. Maybe you could call your doctor and ask them to FAX a note to your idiot employer to avoid driving and waiting? Meanwhile, I hope like hell that the other gig comes through. I would still file a complaint with HR about HR so that if they try to fire you, you will have it documented that you complained about this unreasonable request. Good luck - praying for you!
22 Jul 14 by member: mrsmole
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Simply committing your thoughts about your situation to paper, er, pixels is valuable and constructive in itself. Keep writing.
22 Jul 14 by member: ChrisComedy
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Hope you feel better soon. Yes maybe your Dr's office will l fax this to your job. When I worked if out 3 plus days the a Dr's note required. Also document a complaint so you have this for your record. Some people can be so rude and HR people should be *HUMAN* that SNIPPY ATTITUDE NEEDS TO BE NIPPED IN THE BUD!. God Bless. :)
22 Jul 14 by member: MomjjjaLou
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Thanks for the support and suggestions. I definitely plan to document my complaint against H.R. As for my doctor's office, they can't provide notes unless you are seen. The only thing they can do is fill out FMLA paperwork, which my lovely H.R. person already told me they will not use for these kind of absences. My husband said his employer requires a note for absences of three days or more. Duh. One day is just RIDICULOUS!!
22 Jul 14 by member: gilliansings
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http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/employeeguide.htm That's the link to download a copy of the Employee Guide. It should answer all your questions. If I remember right, FMLA paperwork has to be updated and resubmitted every year. The kind of absence that you are talking about would be covered under FMLA, but the FMLA paperwork must state frequency, duration, etc, of what to be expected for each condition. There are other restrictions regarding FMLA usage such as, you must work X amount of hours in a set amount of time to be eligible, there are time tables that must be followed when you request it, submit paperwork and get approval (they do not have to approve it, but they need to tell you why it was disapproved). Also most people don't know that, say you call in for 8 hours off and 2 hours later you feel better. Then you must report to work at that time to be covered. In other words, you can't call out for the day, then feel better and go out shopping. Read the guide, it will answer all your questions.
22 Jul 14 by member: Chillie Willie
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That's http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/employeeguide.htm, Don't know why FS cut it off
22 Jul 14 by member: Chillie Willie
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Warm Caressing light massaging Thoughts being sent to You. Hope You get to feel better soon!!! @>------------ Flowers
23 Jul 14 by member: TAIC69
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Lots of positive thoughts, love and support to you!! Stay positive, things are going to work out.
23 Jul 14 by member: Annabelle3117
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I cured L5 bone disease myself, after finding it from a cat scan looking for (and finding 9) kidney stones.
I had pain in lower back for years, so it was great to find out what it was.
My cure was to hang from a chinning bar, every day several times for just 15 to 20 sec.
AND I used crutches just a few times a day. My neighbor had the same issue and had gone to the hospital for 45 min traction sessions with a complicated machine; I theorized that walking on crutches is traction on the spine every swing forward step. Well, it WORKED, took almost a year, bit no more lower back pain!
Currently I'm working on my own cure for cervical spine damage from accumulated damage over my 70 years, aggravated a lot by an auto accident middle of 2012. c4, c5, c6, c7 are damaged and cause a LOT of pain, top of the neck. (headache like you wouldn't believe). I sleep on a LzBoy recliner. Have tried many things, but what is working is: Taking 12g turmeric spice in hot water and half ounce ginger juice, a bit of lemon juice. Tastes good actually. This concoction works better that any pain pills: it’s anti inflammatory (Turmeric), analgesic (ginger root) and I take if every night before bed. Since if I don’t I wake up in agony middle of the night, or, have a debilitating headache all the next day.
After over I year of experimenting What I do for the neck THAT WORKS, is neck stretches in a cross pattern, never circular, and scrunching my trapizius (shoulder muscles) tightly with my head back, then relaxing and slowly bowing my head forward, same thing to the side in an X pattern.
But for my particular main issue: the spine is shifted forward 3mm between C4 & C5, and I think that’s where the nerves are slightly pinched. Radiating pain to top of neck (Ice pack on top of neck does nothing, but often helps if I put it on base of neck at C7, C6 area.)
so, to treat that I rest my chin and my forehead on a shelf or doorway while slowly flexing my spine backward, & slightly side to side. gently.
and it’s working.
after the accident I woke in agony almost every night.
and was plagued every day with varying degrees of pain, day to day.
Now, about once a month I get that pain during the day, and rarely wake with the pain or the precursor to it, which I’m quite familiar with.
I just take the Turmeric/ginger cocktail during the day then, after trying an ice pack.
Ice sometimes works, Turmeric always does.
23 Jul 14 by member: billtech66
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spelling **BUT no more lower back pain!
23 Jul 14 by member: billtech66
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Oh no! I'm sorry about your employer. Have you tried using essential oils for your back pain? I use Frankincense and Deep Blue and it works wonders!
23 Jul 14 by member: RoaminRome
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